Kirkconnel rail bridge row

Network Rail cash won't pay for disabled access

Kirkconnel railway station is in line for a £150,000 makeover – but it won’t include much-needed disabled access.

Concerns had been raised by locals that the station could close, but Network Rail gave assurances this week
that is not the case and it announced a cash allocation to refurbish the dilapidated footbridge over the tracks.

However,
Upper Nithsdale Councillor John Syme has been left deflated and “upset”
because the work won’t benefit the whole community.

He
said: “We’ve been campaigning here for 30 years for disabled access at the station but we gave up when it was made clear to us a few years ago that we were way down the list of priorities.

“When
I heard earlier this week that Network Rail had allocated cash for the station I was delighted because I thought we were finally going to get our way. That turned to disappointment when I realised it won’t include disabled access.”

He added: “I’m upset and people here will be up in arms that they’re going to spend all that money on a lick of paint.

“The
bridge is not fit for purpose not just for disabled people but for elderly residents and parents with prams and buggies or people lugging heavy cases.

“It’s been a big issue here for a very long time and we still get complaints about it. In this day and age, we should have disabled access but they seem to
have made up their minds that it’s not going to happen.”

Councillor
Jim Dempster added: “I’m pleased they are going to improve the appearance of the railway station but extremely disappointed that there will still be no disabled access.

“There
seems to be little point if certain people can’t take advantage. Disabled access is still one of the key priorities of Dumfries and Galloway Council and it would be nice if others would recognise and endorse that.”

A Network Rail spokesman said the refurbishment work should be complete by the end of the summer.